Jun 9, 2010

Sailworks Retro 7.5 and 6.0 On the water: We have tested the Retro year after year in the 7.5 m2 size, so it was great to try a smaller version of one of our favourite freeride sails. Just like the larger size, the 6.0 m2 gives you an incredible tuning range allowing it to transform from an incredible powerhouse into a cam-like race sail as you increase downhaul tension. The draft is relatively high, so both match best with boards that have slightly wider tails and two rear footstraps. The powerhouse setting is perfect for taller sailors or for getting stubborn boards up onto a plane. There is still decent power in the racier setting too, only now you have the stability and efficiency that no other no-cam sail in the test can provide. The only downside of all this straight-line goodness is that the rotation is more noticeable compared to other no-cam sails.

Rigging: Sailworks provides an on-sail downhaul guide, but you’re missing out if you don’t experiment and try different settings. The Retro has an amazing downhaul range allowing you to tune for both wind conditions and your sailing style. We tested the 6.0 m2 with the two provided masts (460 centimetre SDM and 430 centimetre RDM) and found the RDM made for a slightly softer feel and no significant loss in performance. Some testers liked how this softness made the rotation smoother in transitions while others felt the SDM provided a little more stability.

Final word: The Retro is still the most tunable and stable no-cam sail on the market.